Chapter 10 - The Ordinary Life
Six months later.
The spring sun was shining brightly through the tall oak trees of the historic district in Savannah.
The Hawthorne Room was bustling with dinner guests. The air was filled with the pleasant clinking of silverware, soft jazz, and the rich smell of roasted garlic and prime rib.
Mason Hale walked through the dining room wearing his crisp white shirt and black apron. His graying hair was cut short, his posture straight, his smile warm and genuine as he delivered two glasses of iced tea to an elderly couple at Table 4.
"Thank you, Mason," the woman smiled warmly. "Everything is wonderful."
"My pleasure, ma'am," Mason replied politely.
Outside the restaurant window, a brand-new billboard stood across the street, advertising the Savannah Youth Boxing & Mentorship Center—a charitable facility funded entirely by a massive, anonymous two-hundred-thousand-dollar donation from Jace Rourke, who had abruptly retired from professional fighting and moved to California.
The front door of the restaurant opened, and Sophie walked in wearing a beautiful white dress and a graduation sash from Savannah High School. She was accompanied by Elise Garner, who was laughing happily.
"Dad!" Sophie called out, waving her high school diploma in the air. "I got top honors in history!"
Mason set his tray down and walked over, a massive smile lighting up his face. He wrapped his arms around his daughter, lifting her slightly off the ground.
"I am so proud of you, kiddo," Mason said, his voice thick with pride.
General David Vance, dressed in a sharp civilian suit, sat at a corner table near the window, quietly sipping a glass of bourbon. He watched the father and daughter embrace, a rare, soft smile touching his lips.
The federal government had officially classified the incident at the gym as a cartel-related raid, keeping Mason's name completely out of the press. Victor Kross and his Syndicate network were dismantled forever. Mason was officially retired—for real this time.
Sophie pulled back, looking at her father with a bright, beautiful smile. "Are you coming home on time tonight, Dad?"
Mason looked around the warm, bustling dining room, then looked back at his daughter—the world he had fought so hard to protect.
"I'm off in twenty minutes, Sophie," Mason smiled, reaching out to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. "Let's go home and make dinner."
"Chicken or pasta?" she teased.
May you like
"Whatever you want, kiddo," Mason laughed, taking her hand. "Whatever you want."
The ordinary life had been built, fought for, and won. And this time, nothing in the world was ever going to break it.
